President Obama embraces daughter Malia as first lady Michelle Obama watches after Obama was officially sworn-in Sunday in the Blue Room of the White House.

Written by

Adam B Sullivan
| Iowa City Press-Citizen

Kara Santos watched President Obama's first inauguration from home in Coralville four years ago, taking special note of the U.S. Marine Band, which played on the Capitol stage, just below the president's swearing in.

A month later, she auditioned for the U.S. Marine Band, and today she'll be among the musicians just feet from Obama.

"It was interesting to watch what they were doing and see the band on such a big stage," Santos said. "It's exciting for me to actually be doing it now, having watched it from home." ...